Nut-tapping machine



P, H. M CAIN NUT TAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec-.14. 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 20, 1925.

a 'sheets-shet s P. H. M cAlN NUT TAPPING ucnmn Filed Dec. 14. 1922 Patented Oct. 20, 1925,

UNITED STATES;

PAUL H. McGAIN, or cHIcAGo, ILLINOIS, Asslenoa To ECONOMY SCREW CoaroaATIou, or CHICAGO, LLI IQIs, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

nUT-mrr'me MAcnIiNE.

4 hpplicationfiled December 14,1922; Serial no. 606,780."

To all whom it may 00mm:

.'Be it known that I,"PA 'LYH. MoGAIN, a citizen of the United statesgresiding at Chicago, in the countyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain newv and useful Improvements in Nut-Tapping Machines, of which the following is aspecification. j T V I;

This invention relates to improvements in nut tapping machines, and one of the objects of the inventionis to provide an improved machine of this character in which there is employed a fioating'tap to which the nut blanks to be tapped are fed, and which tap is adapted'to operate simultaneously upon a plurality of nuts, Without danger of subjecting the. tap to any. undue strain. g

A ,further object is to provide. animproved machineof this character in which thefloating tap is positively"driven'from both-ends thereof. x I

further object isto' provide an improved machine of this character in which the tap driving or operating means also serves as a'means for advancing orifeeding thenut with respect to the tap. i x To the attainment of theseends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features ofnovelty in substantially the construction, combination andarrangement of the several partshereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings-illustrating this invention, and in whichi i p Figure 1 is a top plan View partly in section of a machine of this characterconstructed in accordance'with the principles of this invention. I

V Figure 2 is a viewtaken on line 2- 2, Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a View taken on line 3 3, Figurel. f Figure 4fis an enlarged detail view'iin vertical section of a portion of the tapand thedriving mechanism therefor. i

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line Figure 6 is detail view of the tap. I

Figure 7 isa view similar to Figure 1 of a modified form'of thei'nventionl Referring more particularly to the drawings the numerals 1 0 and 11 designate shafts which are driven in i any' suit'able manner and from; any-suitable source,preferably through the medium. of a pulley 12," having connected'jtherewith. a gearrfl3, and which gear is :disposed'b'etween andtm'eshes with gears '14 15,mseci1red respectively itos the shafts'10 and, 11, the gear- '13 operating to drivelthe shaftslO andll' in the same direction and in theidirection ind'catedby the arrow'siin-iFigure 1. 1 Secured to'the shaft 10 for rotation therewith, are laterally spaced driving elements 16--17and secured also tothe s haft 11,2fo'r rotation therewith, and 'co-operating respectively with the driving elements 16 and 17, are similar driving elements 18 and 191 The peripherieslof these elements 16,- 17,

'l8'and 19 are undulated or knurled so asto provide serrations across the faces :of' the peripheries and which serrations or undutween which the ends are-located. -The' driving members serve as supports for the tap 2'2, sothatithe tap' willvbe rotated and 'driven froni both ends" thereoffaflthe same tim'ethe knurlingsfor serrations on the ends of the; tap eoioperating l'with Ithe knurlings or serrations on the respective drivin g menibers serve as" a means for preventing a 1 1igitudl'nal F movement of the tap; The re spective members o fthe ioairsi 'O'f driving eletive ends of the-tap tnjoppogite sides' so' that the tap will have no tendency to mo ve from between the drivingjielements, 't'hef driving elements operating 1 11 opposite sides of the end of the tap serving to hold the tap in proper position.

The driving elements 16171819 may be of any desired diameter and the ends 20 and 21 of the tap may also be of" any desired relative diameter so as to produce the desired ratio. of opera ion betw n the dr the opening 28 in the'elelnent 17 so that whenthe 'nut blank;31 is fe'd upon' theend 21 of the tap,- the blank will" pass into the 'openiiigs27-29 torbe caught by the grooves 2526, which latter will advancethe nut blank along the end24 ofthe tap, until=-it is delivered through the openings- 28'.30"to be engaged by thecutting portion of the tap.

The element 16=-is provided with acam groove 32 opening through the periphery thereofand which-alseopens through one face of the element as at38 and the opposite face as at 3 1; The element 1 8' is pfovided with a similar peripheralcam' groove 35, which opens th-rough'-one' face as at 3.6, to

* co-operate with the'openingfi 'in' the ele- .tation in any desired or suitable"mannerand ment 16 and opens througlr the opposite face as at 37 to o-op'erate with theopening 34: in rthe element 16, so that-as thenut blank 31 passes from the cuttingportion at tlietap '22; it"will be caught by: the co loperatin'g ends '83:''36"of thegrooves to be fedalong theenel 23-01: the ta p' and willbe discharged fr'om the end of: thea-tap-tl-irough the open- 'ings tohe'.dcliveredithrough a suitableopening or a ehu-te 38;'to be conveyed away from the machine.

During'thetiine that the nut blank 31 is being operatedupon by the cutting portion of thetap theblanklmay be held against rofor that purpose the blank may pass between suitable co-operati-ng j awe or guides 39.1-:?&O, the guides-beingpreferably in the form of itroughl, having a discha-figeopening 42 at one end thereof to perrnittheshav'i-ngs -roI-n the nut blank to be discharged from tllQ tI'OU. h 41.- ;Thistrough is adapted to re ceivelu rication' from any suitable source and'in any suitable manner."

The elements 18 and"1;9-'an d the "shaft 11 are preferably mounted in adjustable bearin-gs-L3T 1-4,- adjustable inany suitable man'- ner sucha's by means of adjusting screws tfir e a permit he ele n 1 .5 n 1 19 to be moved away from the elements 16 and 17 when it is desired to remove the tap 22 or to replace the tap with a new one.

After the tap has been placed in position theelements 18 and 19-may again be ad justed and secured in position to hold the tap. and operate the same. 1 v

It isft'liought t'hejop'e'ration of this machine'will be clearly understood but briefl}? St lt-ed it is as follows. The nut blanks 31may be positoned so that the opening in the hlankswill be. in alinem'ent with the end 21 of the tap in any desired or suitable man ner preferably. beingcted front-11a suitable source. of supply-such as-a hopper or the; like (not shoxvnyinto a chute 4t7-fto. be arrested when its opening isa'in alinement with the I end 210i the tap. v

.A recipro'cati "g and hollow plunger 18 is adapted tofengage the blank andto'feed the same upon the end 21 of the tap until the blank is-caughtby the cam grooves 25:-'26.

The blank will 'thenbefed: along the end of the tap until it passes out of the co-operating openings 28 -301 of the elements 17 rand-19', at Which time thezblan-k is caught 'bythecutti-ng mechanism ofthe tap and while it is between the jaws 89.440 and the 1 operation of cutting. the threads-in the tap will also serve as a means for advancing the work. After the cutting operation the'blank will be in a-position .to enter the co-operat- It will be'nianifest from'ithi's' construction thatthere isnot onlyprovided 'a tap for'cutting" the threads in-the nut blank a1'1d"having itsends tree forthe passage of the nuts thereover, hut the tap will also be positively same time the operating mechanism is so constructed and arranged that longitudinal movement ofthe tap will be prevented. Furtherniore, the *driving mechanismfor the tap also serves as a II1GEIHS'IEOB' advancingthie work with respect to the tap.-

If desired, the last series 51 of the teeth of the tap may be of a'unifo'rm diameter so as tomaintain the size of the threads after,

-operatedfromboth "endsthereof andat the the cuttingioperation-and so as to serve as i an additional means for advancing the 'rfinv ished nut to present it. to the removing In the form of the invention shjown in Figure 7 the'tap 52 is supported and driven {from one end 53 and-'inthis form" of the in-o tw t e elem nt 5 i p ovided w h e rugations, serrations or knurls 64L on the end 53 of the't-ap 52 being arranged to correspond and cooperate with the knurlings on the elements 54 and 59. i

These corrugations, knurls or serrations ion the elements 54: and 59 will operate not only to rotate the tap 52 but will also serve as a means for preventing longitudinal shifting movement of the tap. i

WVhile the preferred forms of the inven- .tion have been herein shown and. described it .is'to be understood that various changes may be made in the details ofconstru'ction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, and therefore it is'ldesired that the drawings herewith submitted shall be considered as being merely diagrammatic. V

\Vhat is claimed'as-newis v; v r 1. A nut tapping machine embodying a rotatable tapping element, and means for driving'the tap from both ends thereof, the said means including driving elements adj acent and'having constant engagement with Y both ends of the tap.

- 2. A nut tapping machine embodying a rotatable tapping element, and'means for rotating the tap from both ends thereof, said means including driving elements adjacent and having constant engagement with the peripheries of the ends of the tap remote from'the extremities of said ends, the said elements operating to, maintain the, tap against longitudinal movement, i 3. A nut; tapping machine embodying a tapping element, and'means for rotatingthe tapping element, the said means including formations directly engaging the work to feed the work lengthwise of the tap. 4. A nut tapping machine embodying a tapping element, and means for rotating the tapping element, the said means including formations directly engaging the work to feed the work lengthwise ofthe tap and while the tap rotating means remains opera tivelyengaged with the tap. a 5. A nut tapping machine embodying a 'tap', and means engaging both endsvof the tap for rotating it,the'sa id meansincluding formations directly engaging the work toKfeed-the work lengthwise upon the tap and while the said rotating means operatively; engage tl e ends of the tap. 6. A nutpping machine embodying a tapping elen'ient, driving means operative y eee e d ofth aprf rv a ns it, and means whereby the work will be fed uponthe end of the ta and advanced along said end by said driving means-and while the said driving means is'in operative engagement with the saidend. i '1v 7, A nut tappingmachine embodying a tapping element, means operatively engag ing one end ofthe-tap for rotating it, and means for feeding the work to the tap over the said end and while the said driving means is in operative engagement withsaid end. I J i v f q 8. A nut tapping; machineembodying ta tapping element, and means operativelyem gaging one {end of the tapior rotatingiit a portion of the said'rotatingimeans serving to advance the work upon and in; a direction v 9. A nut tapping element',; driving means opera-tively engaging oneend of theelement for rotating it, means for presentingthe work tonthe tap,- and means-for feeding the nut lengthwise. of; the tap and through the said dniw ing means! ,i. a f

10.-v A nut tapping machines embodying a tapping element," and driving, means oper-i atively. engaging one endofthesaid element f rot t n it, a p on f: th idd iV-A ing m n b nse ep dto orm Mem ntface for feeding the worklengthwiseof the tap. i P -f v '5 l1. nut tapping machine embo.dying',,a pair of driving elements rotating about par-1 allel axes, and a-tapping element', one end of ,the said element projectingl between the adjacent portions of the peripheries olff said driving, elements, the :peripherieshofl {the driving elements being undulated. and the portion of the t-ap engaged by saidperipheries being correspondingly undulate'd land co-operating therewith. v 7 12. A nut tapping machine embodyinga pair of driving relements' rotatable about parallel, axes and having the samedireetion of rotation, and a tapping element, one. endof the said elementprojecting between the adjacent portions of the peripheries of said driving =elements,xthe peripheries of the driving elements beingimdulated and the portion of the tap engaged by said peripheries being correspondingly undulated and co-operating therewith. I f

v 13. A nuttappingmachine embodying a. pair of driving elements disposed in close proximity and rotatable about parallel axes and having the same dire-ctiomof rotation, and, a tapping element, a portion of the ta'p. projecting between and being engagedj'on opposite sides by the said driving" elements, the peripheries of said fdriving elemen s be.- ing provided with: serrations and the 'e.- riphery of the portion of'said tapthat prof;

- the tap being also pro jeees between said driving elements tang adiate-sparingly seawe d 'Whefehy "the said tap 'Wili be rotated *and the "serrations Will cooperate to maintain the tap against longitudin'al movement. V

14. Anne ta ping mate-hire em-beefing a pair of driving elements disposed close profiiifrity aiid rotatable aho'ut parallel axes having the same direction of rotation, and aftapping e1enient,fa portion or the proffecting. hetwee'n and being engaged on opposite sides 'by the said driving elements, the peripheries of said drivingelements being provided With serrations and the periphery of the portion ofs'aid tap that projects hetWeen *s'aid driving elements being oorrespofidingly serrated IWhereby the said 'hel'rotated and the serrations Will oo-operate to maintain the tap against longitudinal movement, portions of the peripheries o'f the said driving elements being shaped to form ee-opeeaun'g cam "grooves for "advancing the Work upon the end of and lengthwise of the 15. A iititftapping machine emtodying "a pair of driving elements disposed in close proximity and rotatable about parallel axes and h'avinggth efsanfe d-i'i dtion 'of rotation, a tapping elenient, a portion of the tap projecting between and being engaged on opposite sides by the said driving elements, the peripheries of said driyin'geleineift's teing provided With serrations and the periphery of the portion of said tap that proj'ects b etWeen. said driving elements being cones d 'clingly serrated Whei eby the "said tap Will 'be rotatte d and the serrations Will co operate to maintain the tap against 1ongitudi'na'l movement, portion of the periphery of oneoit' the said driving elements being "shaped to rent 31cm groove for ad vanoihg the Work 'a on the end of and lengthwise 'ofthe' 7 16.. A nut tapping inachihe emh'ddying two pairs of co -operating and laterally sp a'c e d rotatable driving'eleinent's, and a rotatable tap, the ends of the taps projecting hetWeen the respective co -operating driving elements or the pairs of di'ivihg ele-' merits and Being supported ehtireiy by said driving elements, 'the peripl 'eriesfof the said drivingelem'e nts spirally serrations and the periphery of the ends oi I de d ivith spirally arranged serrations (io o ating With the serrations on the respe'cive driving members wherehy the tap he rotated.

17. nut tapping 'em bodyiii g two pairs of cooperating ahd iaterali'y spaced rotatable driving eie'ments a rotat ah'le tap; the of the his pro he tWeeh t 'e ,1"espective cof-operaftm drivi'ii g elements or the said pairs 1 er. driving Q16- me e f he' spewe new y a driving elements; the of the'said driving eiemntshaving spirally arranged serrations and the p eriphery of the ends of the "tap being also provided With spirally arranged serrations co-operating with the serrations on the rs pe'tci-ve driving members whereby the tap will he rotated, means whereby one set of driving elements Will :te'ed theWo-rk on 'to oneen'd of the tap, and means the other set of driving "eleiiieiit's Will feed the Work off of the otherend of the tap. i

I8. A nut tapping I'I1achi'1ie embodying 'tWd pairs of co -operating and laterally spacedrotatable driving elements, and a rotatable tap, the endsof the taps projecting between the respective co-operating driving elements of the said pairs of driving ele and being supported entirely by said driviifg 'eleinentsythe peripheries of the said I driving elements having spirally arran ed 'serratiohsand the periphery ofthe ends of thetap being also provided With spirally arranged serrations co-opera'tifng with the serrations on 'the respective vdriving member hereby the tap Will be rotated, the said serrations cooperating for maintainin the tap against -longitudina l movement.

19. 'A nut tapping machine embodying ti rotatable tap, means operating upon hoth ends of the tap for rotating it, means for feedingthe Work upon one end of the tap and vi 'hile the driving inechani'sm'at said end remains in operative engagement With such end," and means other than the tap for reinoving the Work from the opposite end of the tap and While the driving mechanism of the last recited end remains inoperative engagement therewith.

20. A nut tapping machine embodying a rotatable tap, means operating upon both endsof the tap for rotating it, means for feeding the Work upon one end or the tap and While the'driving'mechanism at saidend remains in operative engagement With such end, means other than the tap for removing the Work from the 'oppo'sitefend of the tap and while the 'drivihg mechanism of the last recited end remains in operative engagement thereWith, and means for maintaining the Work against rotation during the tapping operation.

A fnnt tapping machine embodying a rotatable meaiis operatil'i'g upon both ends of the for rotating it 'In'eahs for feeding the Work upon one end "of the tap and While the driving mech an'is'm-at said end remains in operative engagement With such end, and means fothe'r than the tap for removing the Work from "the opposite end of i the tap ahd While the driving mechanism of t ming the wee: with are-aide was tap.

22. A nut tapping machine including a tap supported so that the ends thereof will be free to permit the passage of the nut thereover, and means for rotating the tap, the said means having formations directly engaging the nut and operating to move the nut in a direction lengthwise of the tap.

23. A nut tapping machine including a tap, and means engaging the tap adjacent the end thereof for rotating it, the said means having formations directly engaging the nut for movin the latter upon the tap from one side of the rotating means to the other Side thereof and while the said rotating means moves in operative engagement with the tap.

24. A nut tapping machine including a tap supported so that the ends thereof will be free, and driving means constantly engaging the tap adjacent one end thereof, the nut being movable lengthwise of the tap and over the last recited end thereof while the driving means is in active engagement with the last said end.

25. A nut tapping machine including a tap supported so that the ends thereof will be free, and driving means constantly engaging the tap adjacent both ends thereof, the nut being movable lengthwise of the tapand over each end thereof and while, the

driving means adjacent the respective ends of the tap is in operative engagement with the tap.

26. A nut tapping machine including a tap supported so that the ends thereof will be free, and driving means constantly engaging the tap' adjacent one end thereof, the nut being movable lengthwise of the ta and over the last recited end thereof, whil e the driving means is in active engagement with the last said end, the said driving means operating to advance the nut upon the tap in a direction lengthwise of the axis of th tap.

27. A nut tapping machine including a tapsupported so that the endsthereof will be free, and driving means constantly en gaging the tap adjacent both ends thereof, I

the nut being movable lengthwise of the tap and over each end thereof and while the driving means adjacent the respective ends of the tap is in operative engagement with the tap, the driving means adjacent each end of the tap. operating to advance the nut upon the tap in a direction lengthwise of the axis of the tap.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification on this 20th day of November, A. D. 1922. 

